Miniature rose plant named `KORprolit`

ABSTRACT

Miniature rose plant having a compact, well branched growing habit; ease of rooting from softwood cuttings; long shelf life; and stable flower color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature class which was originated by me by crossing thevarieties `KORialie`, with an unnamed seedling.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new miniaturerose variety having a compact, well branched growing habit, ease ofrooting from softwood cuttings; long shelf life; and stable flowercolor. The objective was substantially achieved, along with otherdesirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combinationof characteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Compact, well branched growth habit;

2. Base of rooting from softwood cuttings;

3. Stable flower color;

4. Long shelf life;

5. Rapid growth and ease of flowering.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by cutting propagation, asperformed at Sparrieshoop, Germany, and Somis, Calif. shows that theforegoing and all other characteristics and distinctions come true toform and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--`KORialie` (unpatented).

Pollen parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Miniature rose.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a greenhouse environment atSparrieshoop, Germany and at Somis, Calif. from January, 1997 toFebruary, 1998.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.--Three-quarters inch long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--The bud form is long, pointed ovoid.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 37D. When halfblown, the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 37D and the lowersides of the petals are all Red Group 37D.

Sepals.--Color: Green group 137D. Surface texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three lightly appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 137B. Shape: Funnel. Size: Small(1/4"×3/16"). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Short (11/2-13/4"). Color: Green Group 137C withimmature peduncles having a bronze cast of Greyed-Red Group 178B.Strength: Stiff, erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Small. Average open size is 13/4 inches.

Borne.--Singly or in pyramidal clusters of three to five blooms.

Stems.--Short, strong. Average length is about five and one-half to sixinches.

Form.--When first open: High centered. Permanence: Flattens, all petalscurl.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions 40-45.

Color.--The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 37D. The reversesides of the petals are Red Group 37D. The base of each petal has asmall (11/16"×1/8"), White Group 155D, half moon at the point ofattachment. The major color on the upper sides is Red Group 37D.

Variegations.--Occasional greenish-white streak on the guard petals.

Discoloration.--At the end of the first day: No change. At the end ofthe third day: No change. By day twelve or thirteen there is a fading ofthe individual flower to near Red Group 38D. Petal drop occurs daysixteen to eighteen.

Fragrance.--None.

Petals:

Texture.--Leathery.

Shape.--Round to deltoid.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved, edges slightly quilled.

Arrangement.--Imbricated. Petaloids in the center are few and small.

Persistence.--Petals drop off cleanly before drying.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Very long (about sixteen days). As a cutflower: Very long (about twenty days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around styles.

Filaments.--Color: Yellow.

Pollen.--Color: Gold yellow.

Styles.--Color: Greenish-white.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish-White.

Plant:

Form.--Bush.

Growth.--Vigorous; upright; branching; compact. In a garden setting, atmaturity, height is twenty to twenty-two inches tall, width is sixteento twenty inches. When grown as a pot rose in a 10 cm pot, the plant iseight to nine inches in height and seven to eight inches wide.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: Five.

Size.--Small (21/2" long ×13/4" wide).

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces: Greyed-Red Group 178B.Old foliage: Upper surface: Green Group 139A. Lower surface: Green Group139C.

Shape.--Pointed oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Leathery, glossy,

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Greyed-Purple Group 183B.

Petiole underside.--Smooth with some glands.

Stipules.--Short (1/4"), serrated.

Disease resistance.--Resistant to mildew under normal growing conditionsin the greenhouse at Sparriehoop, Germany and Somis, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Greyed-Red Group 178B. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green Group 137C. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Few. On laterals from main canes:Few.

Form.--Short, hooked downward.

Color when young.--Greyed- Purple Group 183D.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant as hereinshown and described characterized particularly by a compact, wellbranched growing habit; ease of rooting from softwood cuttings; longshelf life; and stable flower